How to sterilise jars

If you're making jam, preserve, chutney or relish, you'll need to know how to sterilise the jars before filling so the contents don't spoil. It's easy to sterilise jars – simply follow the steps below. 

1.  Heat the oven to 160°C, gas mark 3.

2. Wash the jars and their lids in hot, soapy water, rinse and drain.

3. Put the jars on a baking tray and heat in the oven for 15 minutes to             sterilise. You want them to be warm when filling so don't do this
       too far ahead.

4. If your jars or lids have rubber seals, remove these and simmer
        them in a pan of water for 10 minutes instead (the dry heat of the              oven will crack the rubber seals).

5. Turn off the heat, cover and leave until ready to use.